Friday 17U standouts from Grit Region Finals
Friday night was filled with intense action from the Grit Region Finals and this article will spotlight some of the standouts that I saw on Friday at Fishers High School. Deshawne Crim Deshawne Crim 6'2" | PG Fairfield | 2023…
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Continue ReadingFriday night was filled with intense action from the Grit Region Finals and this article will spotlight some of the standouts that I saw on Friday at Fishers High School.
Deshawne Crim Deshawne Crim 6'2" | PG Fairfield | 2023 State OH , 6’1 PG Fairfield 2023 Cincy Fire Elite: Crim was dominant offensively, scoring over 30 points in a 77-76 win over West Michigan Lakers Blast. Crim was knocking down jumpers at a higher clip than usual and using his strength to overpower guard defenders when he attacked the basket. It was impressive seeing Crim’s full scoring talents be unleashed in such a tight contest and being able to lead his team to victory. Crim is a prospect who scholarship programs should be all over with his toughness from the point guard position.
Austin Buckley Austin Buckley 6'2" | SG Byron Center | 2023 State MI , 6’2 SG Byron Center 2023 WM Lakers Blast: Buckley and point guard Bode Anspach were both impressive for the WM Lakers Blast but fell one point short of the win. Buckley made some shots from the outside and had a dunk that surprised me and the college coaches watching the game. Buckley doesn’t look like an explosive athlete but came through and slammed it down in the half-court. Buckley is a prospect who should be getting a lot of attention from regional small college programs and has been a frequent standout at prep hoops circuit events.
Josh Henline Josh Henline 6'2" | SG Spencerville | 2023 State OH , 6’1 PG Spencerville 2023 CLP Elite: I’ve seen a lot of CLP Elite this spring and summer and in the first round of the Grit Region Finals, Josh Henline Josh Henline 6'2" | SG Spencerville | 2023 State OH and Jerome Kloepfer Jerome Kloepfer 6'3" | SG Vanlue | 2023 OH each had their best game to date. Kloepfer was everywhere on defense, getting steals and cutting without the ball to help cut into a huge early deficit CLP found themselves in. Then, Henline got going offensively, creating his own shot from both downtown and at the rim. It was a great effort by CLP Elite to tie the game with a minute to play at 69 apiece, before Brook Town Force made a 3-pointer to end the comeback.
Trevon Roots, 6’7 PF Marmion Academy 2023 Brook Town Force: Roots was dominant on both ends on the inside, throwing down some impressive dunks and blocking shots on the interior. From a physical standpoint, Roots checks a lot of boxes that you’ll want from a wing forward with his movement skills and physicality in the post. Roots also had soft hands and finished around the basket. Based on what I saw, Roots should be a no-brainer scholarship prospect and a guy college coaches should make a priority to check out the rest of the weekend.
Ethan Keiser Ethan Keiser 6'0" | SG Fort Loramie | 2023 OH , 6’1 SG Fort Loramie 2023 Mid Ohio Pumas Sliemers: Keiser got HOT in the second half, knocking down some clutch 3-pointers to lift his team to the next round. Keiser shoots a pretty ball off the catch and communicates a lot defensively and is always offering words of encouragement to his teammates. I love the attitude that Keiser plays at and the leadership qualities he displays on the court. Keiser, along with Rex Mbouge Rex Mbouge 6'4" | C Westerville North | 2023 OH had big games to advance Mid Ohio Pumas Sliemers to the next round of the bracket.